MICK McCABE'S TOP 100 PLAYERS: The next 99 may be Green with envy

Free Press sports writer Mick McCabe previews the state's top 100 boys basketball players.

1. Draymond Green, 6-foot-7, senior, Saginaw. He wasn't even rated the top player on his team when last season began and he would up on the all-state Dream team. He was the catalyst to Saginaw's drive to the Class A state championship, averaging 23 points, 13 rebounds, four assists. He spent a lot of time on the perimeter last season where his exceptional passing skills were highlighted. After the Trojans graduated most of their size, he will have to play more in the post, but he is more than capable of dominating inside as well. Signed with Michigan State.

2. Dominique Buckley, 6-2, senior, Romulus. He first garnered our attention with his defensive prowess and now he has developed into a complete player. He averaged 14 points last season as a point guard, but will move off the ball this season to take advantage of his improved shooting. Signed with Iowa State.

3. Brad Redford, 6-0, senior, Frankenmuth. The state's top three-point shooter, he has made 100 three-pointers and is hitting 43% beyond the arc. Over the course of his career he has steadily improved his range and he is able to get off his shot despite playing against every gimmick defense in the book. Signed with Xavier.

4. DaShonte Riley, 6-11, junior, Birmingham Detroit Country Day. The state's top junior, averaged 12 points and seven rebounds after transferring from Detroit Cass Tech. The confidence he gained from helping Country Day win the Class B state title should make him even more offensive-minded. He already was a terrific shot blocker and his rebounding has improved.

5. Jason Washburn, 7-0, senior, Battle Creek Central. He averaged 12 points and eight rebounds last season when he blocked 99 shots. All of those numbers should improve drastically this season. He has a nice touch from the outside, can dominate in the post and runs the floor well. Signed with Utah.

6. Paul Williams, 6-3, senior, Detroit Renaissance. Is he still in high school? He has been a significant contributor for three seasons now and always played with a maturity beyond his years. He knocks down clutch shots from the perimeter and he doesn't mind attacking the basket. Signed with Dayton.

7. Eric Evans, 5-11, senior, Detroit Northwestern. He has been a prime-time player since he hit the biggest shot of the Class D state championship game in his freshman season. Last season he averaged 24 points and 7.5 assists. He can create a shot for himself or his teammates. He handles the ball well and penetrates with the best of them. Signed with Duquesne.

8. Kavon Rose, 6-2, senior, Detroit Finney. He averaged 25 points despite seeing a lot of gimmick defenses designed to stop him. His scoring may drop a bit this season because he will play some point guard and because of the development of some of his teammates. He is a terror in the transition game. Signed with Oregon State.

9. Dion Sims, 6-6, junior, Orchard Lake St. Mary's. He missed all of last season after transferring from U-D Jesuit and is coming off an extended football season, so he may be a bit rusty at the start. His perimeter shot is improving, but he is best attacking the basket and drawing fouls. He is a rugged rebounder.

10. Drew Maynard, 6-6, senior, Lake Orion. He has scored over 1,000 career points and averaged 19.3 points and seven rebounds a year ago. This season he is stronger and no longer settles for perimeter jump shots. He should be more of a force around the basket. Signed with Oakland.

11. Latreze Mushatt, 6-5, senior, Saginaw Arthur Hill. He may have played second fiddle to Dar Tucker for the last couple of years, but he averaged 14 points last season and is a talented player. He is the team's best defender and his scoring should skyrocket. He is strong enough to score in the paint and can score from the perimeter.

12. Jordan Morgan, 6-8, junior, U-D Jesuit. He has improved dramatically over his sophomore season in which he averaged 10 points. He is now knocking down the mid-range jumper, which makes him even more dangerous. He can rebound with anyone and is a load to defend in the post.

13. Trey Zeigler, 6-4, sophomore, Mt. Pleasant. He is the top sophomore in the state and has been offered a scholarship to Central Michigan (why not, his dad -- Ernie -- is CMU's head coach). In an era when the mid-range jumper is missed more often than not, he excels with it. He can also battle inside and score.

14. Darnell Brown, 6-1, senior, Birmingham Detroit Country Day. The leading scorer (16 points) on last year's Class B state championship team, he was the go-to player in crunch time. A four-year varsity player, he can create his own shot. He has always been a dangerous perimeter shooter. Signed with Bowling Green.

15. Lawrence Bridges, 6-7, senior, Detroit Henry Ford. He is a high-energy player who is terrific around the rim and should flourish with the addition of the Redford players surrounding him. He is a fine jumper who can rebound in a crowd and can dominate in the paint. He is improving his perimeter game. Signed with Central Michigan.

16. James Still, 6-10, junior, Detroit Community. Versatility is the key to his future. Although he is not thick, he is deceivingly strong and scores well on the block. But he can also step outside and hit the 17-footer. He runs the floor well and is an intimidating shot blocker.

17. Blake Cushingberry, 6-4, senior, Romeo. The top player in Macomb County. He averaged 17 points, 11 rebounds as a junior. He is so strong he creates mismatches because he can overpower smaller defenders in the post and he can take bigger defenders outside and drain jump shots or drive by them on his way to the basket. Signed with Oakland.

18. Corey Person, 6-4, senior, Kalamazoo Central. He has moved away from the point guard spot, so look for his scoring to improve. He is an excellent shooter, but isn't afraid to take the ball to the basket or even post up inside. He is strong enough to help with the rebounding and he enjoys playing defense and getting his teammates involved in the offense.

19. Sean Jones, 6-11, senior, Carson City-Crystal. A dominating post player in the Lansing area, he averaged 17 points, 10.6 rebounds and 5.6 blocked shots. His presence and ability to score in the paint could make Carson City a Class C contender. He has been able to score despite double-teaming. Signed with Drake.

20. Demetrius Ward, 6-2, senior, Detroit Pershing. He is the key to Pershing's season after averaging 14 points last year. He will play the point, but is more than a point guard. He can take defenders into the lane and score as well as light it up from the perimeter. He is also a good defensive player. Signed with Western Michigan.

21. Daniel West, 6-2, senior, Saginaw. He was a solid contributor (11 points, seven assists) to last year's Class A state championship team. He is excellent in transition and does an admirable job running the offense. His perimeter shot has improved, which makes his penetrating game more effective. Originally committed to Bradley, but changed his mind and is unsigned.

22. Dustin Dibble, 6-4, senior, Petoskey. In his first year after transferring from Charlevoix he averaged 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists. He will be a shooting guard or a wing forward in college. At the high school level he has the ability to score inside against anyone. Signed with Missouri-Kansas City.

23. Ben Simons, 6-7, junior, Cadillac. Don't be fooled by his size that might lead you to believe he is an inside player, he has all of the perimeter skills. He is an outstanding shooter and will be a Division I wing player. He is athletic enough to put the ball on the floor and go coast-to-coast and can finish off the break. The biggest improvement over a year ago is that he is now an aggressive rebounder.

24. Jon Horford, 6-6, sophomore, Grand Ledge. The son of former NBA player Tito Horford and the brother of current NBA player Al Horford, it isn't surprising he has a high basketball IQ even though he didn't play on the varsity last season. Already an outstanding shot blocker, he has improved his strength and is becoming an offensive force in the paint.

25. Flenard Whitfield, 6-7, senior, Detroit King. A top-flight football prospect at wide receiver, he chose basketball where he is a potential big-time scorer from the perimeter and inside. He consistently hits mid-range shots and can even go out past the three-point line. His quickness makes him difficult for most big guys to stick with. He runs the floor well and can finish off a fast break.

The next 75

(in alphabetical order)

Brandon Allen, 6-3, senior, Oak Park

Doug Anderson, 6-5, junior, Kalamazoo Central

Keith Appling, 6-2, sophomore, Detroit Pershing

Joe Arnold, 6-5, junior, Gaylord

Matt Balkema, 6-10, junior, Warren Cousino

Pat Biondi, 5-7, junior, Dearborn Divine Child

Willie Brown, 6-2, senior, Woodhaven

Nate Bruinsma, 6-3, senior, Muskegon Christian

Adrian Burton, 5-9, senior, Detroit Cooley

Austin Calhoun, 6-7, senior, Southfield

Nic Carreri, 6-6, senior, L'Anse Creuse

DeMondre Chapman, 6-4, sophomore, Flint Carman-Ainsworth

Chris Clarke, 6-7, senior, Orchard Lake St. Mary's

Keenan Coleman, 6-4, junior, Flint Central

Will Clyburn, 6-5, senior, Romulus

Delano Collins, 6-0, junior, Detroit Renaissance

Josh Collins, 5-10, senior, Detroit Douglass

Durant Crum, 5-10, senior, Albion

Michael Douglas, 6-2, senior, Detroit Finney

Josh Eichelberger, 6-4, senior, West Bloomfield

Demetrius Ford, 5-8, Detroit Cody

Tyler Geary, 5-8, junior Marquette

Stephen Gould, 6-7, senior, Kalamazoo Christian

Antonio Greene, 6-3, senior, Dearborn Heights Robichaud

Holden Greiner, 6-7, junior, Traverse City St. Francis

Brad Guinane, 6-6, senior, St. Joseph

Deangelo Haley, 6-2, junior, Detroit Central

Earl Hardison, 6-0, senior, Westland Glenn

LaDontae Henton, 6-5, freshman, Lansing Eastern

Zac Heuter, 6-7, senior, North Branch

John Hoskins, 6-8, junior, Warren Conner Creek West

Aaron Hudson, 6-6, senior, Blissfield

Adrian Hunter, 5-11, senior, Grand Blanc

Roderick Hust, 6-2, senior, West Bloomfield

Matt Johnson, 6-4, senior, Ann Arbor Pioneer

Quentin Jones, 6-6, senior, St. Clair Shores South Lake

Nathan Kindt, 6-7, senior, Alpena

Donovan Kirk, 6-8, junior, Birmingham Detroit Country Day

Oliver Kupe, 6-3, senior, Clarkston

Ian Larkin, 6-6, senior, Detroit Renaissance

Jon Lee, 6-1, senior, Flint Carman-Ainsworth

Jeremy Lovelady, 6-11, senior, Wayne

Delbert Mattox, 5-10, senior, Benton Harbor

Anthony Manno, 6-3, junior, Dearborn Divine Child

Javaughn Manuel, 6-1, senior, Lansing Sexton

Alex Marcotullio, 6-3, junior, Warren De La Salle

Shane Moreland, 6-3, junior, Flint Powers

Tyler Moreland, 6-3, junior, Flint Powers

Derrick Nix, 6-9, junior, Detroit Pershing

Dustin Oms, 6-1, senior, Tekonsha

Brent Ohrman, 5-0, senior, Adrian

Dustin Orns, 6-1, senior, Tekonsha

C.J. Paquin, 6-1, junior, Cedarville

Shawntez Patterson, 6-7, senior, Detroit Northwestern

Troy Peter, 6-3, senior, Stevensville Lakeshore

Devin Peurach, 6-5, senior, Birmingham Brother Rice

Isaiah Phlegm, 6-4, senior, Pontiac Northern

Dan Possehl, 6-8, senior, Wyoming Tri-unity Christian

Joe Powers, 6-2, senior, Holt

DeMario Prince, 5-10, junior, Detroit Henry Ford

Lonnie Pugh, 6-5, senior, Grosse Ile

Eli Redman, 6-7, senior, Bath

Michael Rosenberg, 6-4, junior, Traverse City West

Zach Saylor, 6-8, senior, Lansing Waverly

Fred Smith, 6-2, senior, Detroit Southeastern

Jamie Stewart, 6-4, junior, Livonia Clarenceville

Travis Swanson, 6-0, senior, Negaunee

Jay Thames, 6-9, senior, Port Huron Northern

Wes Trammell, 5-10, senior, Jenison.

Drew Valentine, 6-5, junior, Lansing Sexton

Korey VanDussen, 6-2, junior, Zeeland East

Tyrone Ward, 6-3, senior, Flint Southwestern Academy

Nick West, 6-9, senior, Royal Oak

Cam White, 6-2, senior, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central

Charlie Woods, 6-6, senior, forward, East Lansing

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